Whether you are planning a moonlit dinner for two or an elaborate dinner for friends and family, Portofino Restaurant is the perfect place for a memorable experience. Ambergris Today got invited once again to experience the wonderful dining and casual elegance at Portofino restaurant.

Established in March of 2003, Le Bistro was designed with concepts of Euro-Caribbean Fusion Cuisine. Our chef’s background in French and Italian Cuisine fuses the freshest local seafood, meats and produce available in Belize and features mostly an all sauté menu with individual custom plate presentations.

Chef Ermito Patt combines Belizean dishes with European/Italian/Caribbean and Greek flares and has a fine collection of wines that will definitely compliment your dining experience. Originally from Orange Walk, Chef Patt has been in the culinary professional for eight year and working at Le Bistro for four.

Once again, our staff was blown away by our dining experience at Le Bistro, from the friendly host Steve DeMaio and Marlon Castro, waiters and special attention of Chef Patt and his assistant chefs.

This restaurant provides a unique, sweeping seascape that is possibly the best ocean view anywhere. Evan a moonlit table for two can be set upon request at the end of their dock. Portofino has a wide selection of dining venues, so if the dock is reserved, don't fret. This charming restaurant can also set the romantic atmosphere overlooking the beach and sea-side on their veranda or by illuminating the tables inside with lanterns.

For starters we were treated with appetizers which included items from their newly added vegetarian menu. We delved on a Shrimp Cocktail which included succulent shrimp served ice cold with red horseradish sauce. On the vegetarian side, we tried the Grilled Romaine & Mozzarella Wrap and Spinach Pineapple Salad with Mango Herb Glaze; delicious even for the meat lovers. The vegetarian menu includes items like, Grilled Caye Quesadilla, Asian Rice Noodle, a variety of salads, grilled veggie Alfredo, and Chile Relleno Estilo Americano.

Portofino's menu offers many appetizing dishes, such as the Lobster Thermidor. Lobster is diced and sautéed in garlic, sherry wine and in a Newburg sauce, toped with parmesan cheese, served with herb rice and vegetables of the day. Originally an occasional special, “Spider Crab – Laced Snapper,” a delectable combination of Blue Caribbean spider crab rolled with snapper fillet massed by a garlic and tomato cream glace and white wine served with Vegetables is now included on the standard menu by popular demand and also happens to be Chef Patt’s best dish.

The night’s special was a Kebab platter that included juicy chunks of beef, pork and chicken on a skewer and served with rice and house vegetables. One of our favorite dishes was “Pineapple Picante Pork Tenderloin” which is marinated with lime and cilantro and served with slowly roasted sliced medallions in a spicy pineapple salsa. And for those Italian lovers, the Penne Pollo Alfredo is a must! Diced tender chicken breast and fresh tomatoes sautéed and finished with a Penne Alfredo. Also on the menu is the Seafood Platter, Champagne Herb Snapper and Linguine Caribe.

We mustn't forget dessert. For you chocolate lovers they have the “Completely Cacao” chocolate fudge cake on a bed of chocolate glace laced with Crème de Cacao and shaved Hershey's chocolate served with vanilla ice cream. Or how about a “Banana’s Foster”, New Orleans Classic with Portofino Style, sautéed banana in a light caramel sauce, flambéed in crème de banana and served over vanilla ice cream and garnished with chocolate syrup! Mmmmm! Le Bistro also offers other delicious desserts such as Frozen Tropical Tundra or Rum Cream Caramel Apple, to mention a few.

When you are looking for a night of luxurious excellence, make sure you visit Portofino, where the sea breeze will soothe you, service will impress you, and a variety of excellent dishes will keep you coming back for more. Their menu offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner including bar appetizers and also offers nightly specials. For reservations, pick up at Fido’s dock or more information call 220-5096. You can also visit www.portofinobelize.com. While you're there, remember to tell them Ambergris Today sent you!